Despite the growing pressure on resources, China aims to guarantee its water supply when the expected population peak occurs in 2030, said a senior official on Wednesday.

"We will take measures to ensure that water consumption levels out in the year 2030," said Vice Minister of Water Resources Hu Siyi at a conference to mark World Water Day 2006.

He expects water per capita in China to decrease from the current 2,200 cubic meters to around 1,700 cubic meters in 2030.

China has taken great efforts to build a water-saving society, which has produced positive results, according to Chen Zhikai, an expert with the Water Conservation and Hydroelectric Power Research Institute.

The total annual consumption in China has remained 550 billion cubic meters since the 1990s amid rapid economy growth, said Chen.

The population of China is growing towards a possible peak of 1.6 billion in 2030.

The United Nations, to conserve and develop water resources, has designated March 22 as World Water Day in an attempt to promote public awareness of water protection.

(Xinhua News Agency March 23, 2006)